ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

ON SATURDAY, I RECEIVED IN THE MAIL MY OFFICIAL ROOKIE BLOGGER OF THE YEAR AWARD FROM PinF. WHAT AN HONOR!! I WAS THRILLED, BUT ALSO WORRIED ABOUT THE AWARDS CEREMONY AND WHAT TO WEAR. I CONSULTED MY FAVE STYLIST, CNN, BUT SHE WAS OUT OF TOWN, SO I HAD TO GO IT ALONE FOR MY RED CARPET DEBUT. I was going for "innocent yet vampy"...I think I pulled it off!



WHAT A MAGICAL EVENING!!! THE STARS WERE BRIGHT, AND THE BLOGGERS WERE PARTYING LIKE IT WAS 1999. UNFORTUNATELY, AS PICTURED BELOW (who let the paparazzi in this am?) I TOOK THE CELEBRATING A BIT TOO FAR....TO MUCH CHAMPAGNE, CHOCOLATES AND CIGS...THE 2 XANAX PROBABLY DIDN'T HELP,EITHER.





ANYWAY, THANKS TO ALL OF YOU, AND ESPECIALLY THE ACADEMY/PinF FOR THIS GLORIOUS HONOR. I LOOK FORWARD TO THE NEXT CONVENTION :)

p.s. please do not forward any of these shots to Sanrio...I can't get fired! I have a really good gig going there....thanks!

COFFEE LOVERS MUST READ!

COFFEE ALWAYS IS AN UNDERLYING THEME IN OUR BLOG CIRCLE, SO I AM PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE SOME EXCITING NEWS....

I RECEIVED FOR VALENTINE'S DAY THE BUNN MY CAFE TEA & COFFEE POD BREWER, AND IT IS AMAZING!! THE COFFEE STAYS HOT FOREVER, IT IS SMALL BUT SUPREMELY POWERFUL, TAKES ANY BRAND COFFEE PODS & REGUALR TEA BAGS, AND FITS ALL MUGS AND TALL TRAVEL MUGS-I AM IN HEAVEN & VERY PLEASED WITH MY THOUGHTFUL VALENTINE-AK RESEARCHED FOR 2 DAYS :):)

IF YOU HAVE MADE THE TRANSITION TO THE INDIVIDUAL COFFEE POD MAKERS-THIS IS THE ONE TO GET. CHECK OUT COOLBEANS.COM-THEY HAVE THEM IN STOCK AND COMES WITH 50 FREE COFFEE PODS AND A COOL TRAVEL MUG. TO TOP IT OFF, IT HAS A SUPERCOOL BLUE LIGHT THAT COMES ON WHILE YOUR CUP IS BREWING...I DRANK 3 CUPS LAST NIGHT IN THE DARK JUST SO WE COULD SEE THE LIGHT COME ON...VERY STAR TREK.

AND IF THAT ISN'T A ROMANTIC GIFT, AK RECEIVED FROM ME A MINERS LIGHT-ESSENTIAL FOR COMPUTER BUILDING AND FIXING. IT HAS A STROBE SETTING WHICH IS INTERESTING...WE COULD POSSIBLY OPEN A NIGHTCLUB. IT'S ALSO A GREAT LOOK-FUNCTIONAL FASHION!

CANDY SUX....COFFEE SAYS I LOVE YOU EVERY DAY!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking.
It is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails.

JUST FOR CHUCK

Snow is beautiful, as long as you are inside! I took these from our balcony this morning especially for Carlos Costa Rica so he can see what he's missing.
Take a break from the guano removal, Chuck, and imagine yourself here :)

One of Those Days/Mom on Board

Things have been a bit nutty since the last post. My daily driving duties got to me a bit, and my mom and I are currently embarking into all sorts of financial crapola (the glory of the PoA) that has her completely freaking out. If you know me, and know my mom, this does not equal harmony. We are classic tortoise and hare-yours truly stars as the hare. This morning I felt as though I had a 14 year old daughter deciding on what to wear to school that day, rather than a 76 year old mother deciding to consolidate her debt.

Phew.....

So I had to sit myself down and count my blessings:

1. My mom/ak's mom in pretty good shape
2. Friends/Family (I have a hard time separating the 2)
3. Roof over the head
4. Running water
5. Food in the fridge and pantry
6. Clothing
7. Transportation

After considering the above, I felt great! What a lucky person I am.
Ak taught me to do this whenever I felt a bit overwhelmed, or just in a general pissy mood.

Try it-it works all the time :)

SUPERBOWL SUNDAY

I can't believe it has been a year since I saw my Eagles lose their chance at a Super Bowl win...I threw a chocolate cake from our 4th floor balcony in fustration! (don't worry-I had a back-up cake, so no one missed dessert)
Well, the Eagles certainly didn't make it far this year, but the SB Sunday is one of my favortie days of the year, no matter who is playing. I will be routing for the Black and Yellow, mainly because they are the other PA team, and for Jerome Bettis. I am looking forward to a good, close game, with lots of action and emotion-the match-up with the Seahawks should be a thriller...I love football! And the Stones are playing at halftime-you just can't beat that!
I also love the concept of the SB party. Ak and I had our first SB get-together in CA in 2000 ('99 season), and have done so each year following. (I have to admit I enjoyed watching the game more at 3:30pm rather than 6:30pm) We love to cook and eat, so the SB is the perfect opportunity for gluttony. Last year Ak started a traditon-ordering stone crabs from Joe's in Miami Beach-YUM! If you've never had them, I really cannot describe them, aside from ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS! Well, the crabs have just arrived at our doorstep today...they knocked politely and put themselves right into the fridge....I told you they were good!
Football was something that my dad had me watching at an early age. I am an only child and a girl, so with some things I believe my dad just pretended I was a boy-sports, fixing the car, mowing, painting the house, roofing, etc. I am grateful that he did so, because we got to spend a great deal of time together, and we enjoyed watching games together so much. Besides the cool sweater and small skirt, I think I beacame a cheerleader in high school just to be closer to the sidelines and the action. Even out in CA, my dad and I would call each other 10-15 times on a football Sunday, just to say "did you see that?", "what a play", etc.
Now that he is gone, football has become more special to me, as I feel he is close to me on any given Sunday :)
Now, let's get that coin tossed and go!

2005 PICTURE REVIEW

I DECIDED TO TRY AND PUT TOGETHER A PICTORIAL SUMMARY OF 2005. IT SOUNDED LIKE A GOOD IDEA UNTIL I STARTED SEARCHING THROUGH THOUSANDS OF SHOTS...I WAS NOT DISCOURAGED, THOUGH, AND PLOWED AHEAD WITH THIS PROJECT. ENJOY!

JAN 2005: SPENT THE HOLIDAYS IN SCOTTSDALE AND SEDONA, AZ. THE FIRST IS A VIEW FROM AK MOM'S PORCH IN SEDONA, AND THE SECOND IS YOURS TRULY WITH MCNABB ON OUR FLIGHT BACK TO PHILLY.




FEB 2005: HAD A SMALL SUPERBOWL GET-TOGETHER WITH MOUNDS OF FOOD, INCLUDING STONE CRABS FED-EXED FROM JOE'S IN MIAMI BEACH. AK, JOJO AND CNN


MAR 2005: A VIEW OF THE SUN BREAKING THROUGH AND SIGNS OF SPRING THROUGHT THE MELTING SNOW FROM OUR TREETOP BALCONY.


APR 2005: A CLOSE UP OF THE AMAZING "SUGAR" MAGNOLIA MY MAMA HAS IN THE BACKYARD..SPRING HAS SPRUNG.


MAY 2005: CELEBRATING OUR BEST BUD'S BDAY IN NORFOLK, VA, WHERE WE ALL MET WHEN ATTENDING ODU BACK IN THE DAY. BDAY BOY AND AK


JUN 2005: ME AND MY PRECIOUS GODSON NICHOLAS ON THE DAY OF HIS BAPTISM. HIS MAMA AND I GREW UP TOGETHER IN UPPER DARBY, AND MY POPS AND HERS WERE LIFELONG BUDDIES-THEY GREW UP IN WEST PHILLY TOGETHER. IF YOU CAN SEE NICHOLAS' CHAIN, IT ACTUALLY WAS MY FATHER'S BAPTISM CROSS CHAIN :)


JUL 2005: JOJO AND HANNAH/HANNAH TALKING TO AK ON MY CELL. HANNAH IS THE DAUGHTER OF JULIE AND GABRIEL-VERY GOOD FRIENDS OF OURS FROM CALI. JULIE AND HANNAH WERE IN NYC TO VISIT JULIE'S MOM, AND I TOOK THE TRAIN UP TO SPEND THE DAY WITH THEM. WENT TO THE NEW MOMA-FABULOUS DAY, AND SO AMAZING TO SEE HOW MUCH HANNAH HAS GROWN SINCE WE'VE MOVED.


AUG 2005: 30 DAY EUROPE TRIP THAT ENDED THIS MONTH. 1-VIEW OF TIVOLI GARDENS IN COPENHAGEN, DENMARK FROM OUR ROOM 2-YOURS TRULY ENJOYING A DELICIOUS HOEGAARDEN IN ARHUS, DENMARK AND 3-VIEW OF ROTTACH, GERMANY FROM OUR TRAM CAR AS WE RIDE TO THE TOP OF ONE OF THE MOUNTAINS-PART OF THE ALPS.






SEPT 2005: SPEND A LAZY HOT SATURDAY ON THE CHESAPEAKE ON MY COUSIN'S BOAT WITH HER FAMILY. THIS IS MY COUSIN ANDREW AND THEIR SWEET DOGGIE JAKE TAKING A RIDE ON THE JET-SKI


OCT 2005: FILLER LILLIES FROM AK'S NIECE'S GARDEN IN ARHUS, DENMARK


NOV 2005: FILLER THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED WITH JUNE'S PICS-A SIDELINE SHOT OF THE MEDIA 5-MILER AT TED'S ANNUAL PARTY. CHECK OUT AUSTIN CHILLING IN THE LOWER RIGHT :)


DEC 2005: VIEW OF THE BEAUTIFULLY DECORATED LIVING ROOM IN AK'S MOM'S HOUSE IN FL, AND A SHOT OF OUR CHRISTMAS GOOSE-IT WAS SOOOOOO DELICIOUS!




DEC 31, 2005: RINGING IN THE NEW YEAR IN VERO BEACH, FL. 1-AKJN, 2-JOJO, AK AND HIS MOM




THAT'S ALL, FOLKS!

GUMBO

I don't even know where to begin....

First-I don't know if you are familiar with Ron Jon's Surf Shop, but it has been a staple on the Cocoa Beach, Fl scene for years, and on our most recent trip to FL over the holidays, we learned that they are moving to the Port at Cape Canaveral in order to capitalize on the all of the booze/gambling and all other cruise ships that have infested that area. Cocoa Beach residents are very upset and they should be! Ron Jon's is a landmark, but I guess to many people money is the bottom line.

Back in Media-I have resumed my chauffer duties with my mother, and realize that her neck brace must come off very soon for both of our sakes. Hopefully she will be driving within a month or so, as soon as her neck heals. I have to say she is a tough broad at the ripe old age of 76, and has had a series of bad luck and health problems since Pops passed away a year ago. I am trying to be a good daughter and make Pops proud, but lately I am ready to take off again, but with no return address this time. So selfish, I know....had a long day with her today so I am a bit cranky. But I love her so! Enough of that....

Sunday Night-I got the word Friday from Chrissy that Lynn was in town for the weekend. Since I didn't make it into the city and meet them as planned on Sat (mom stuff-imagine that!), I did a pop in at Chrissy's Sunday with bags of hangover food nd drink supplies in order to spend some time with Lynn and Dena before they left. Well, it turned into a spontaneous, crazy-ass slumber party (see pics at CNN's blog). The group as a whole transported ourselves back to the 80's-location and behavior-wise. We went to Della Paula's on McDade...the last time I went to that particular establishment was 19 yrs ago, when I was totally underage. The same people were still there. It was a fun, hilarious night-things are still coming back to each of us as the days pass (stories cannot be published). I think today is the first day I am totally back to normal. Back in the day, I remember partying like that 3-4 times a week for a few years running. I am glad to be grown up a bit, but kicking it loose like that a few times a year makes you feel young, and funny stuff just happens when you are with your good buddies. Love the girls...

...one more thing-we watched "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" the other day...I totally forgot how awesome that movie is! It's one of the free movies offered for HD channels, so if you have it, check it out and make some mashed potatoes :)

Hope everyone's 2006 has gotten off to a happy and healthy start!

HOME AGAIN

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Sorry for the slight vaca, but we travelled home earlier this week, and I just had two of my xmas presents installed-a new keyboard and new mouse :)

...more soon-the damned laundry awaits me...the siren song of the dryer calls to me even now...

MEMOIRS

...JUST A QUICK ONE TODAY...WE SAW "MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA" THE OTHER DAY...VERY GOOD MOVIE, BUT AS A HUGE FAN OF THE BOOK, IT WAS A BIT OF A LET DOWN. I'VE READ THE BOOK 50+ TIMES, AND JUST HAD MY EXPECTATIONS TOO HIGH, AS I ALWAYS DO WHENEVER HOLLYWOOD DECIDES TO MOVIE-IZE MY FAVORITE NOVELS. AGAIN, DO GO SEE IT IF YOU HAVE AN INTEREST, BECAUSE IT IS VISUALLY STUNNING...

ANOTHER BEAUTY DAY

Woke up to another lovely FL day...makes you forget how unbearable it can be here in the summer. Snowbirds are evident everywhere you look...huge mobile homes from PA, Maine, Jersey, etc. are more evident on A1A as they travel back here from all holiday destinations.

We've been doing lot's of "home" things with ak's mom...clearing palm fronds, fixing blinds, moving paintings around, checking sprinklers, killing fire ants, etc.

Looking forward to hitting the town of Melbourne proper...they have just opened and exclusive handbag store that carries only bags from Greece-you know I'll be all over that! Also, ak's mom and her art group have rented a new studio in one of the historic downtown buildings, and we will go to their open house.

Work continues on many of the homes here from the previous hurricanes-some people have not been able to return to their homes for over a year now. Can you imagine?

One of my favorite things here are the sunsets-we are on the river, and they are so stunning...a portrait in the sky every night.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

HELLO AND MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL! THANKS FOR THE COMMENTS....THEY MAKE ME FEEL IMPORTANT AND REALIZE HOW LUCKY WE ARE YO HAVE SUCH AWESOME FRIENDS AND FAMILIA!

CURRENTLY IN FL THE WIND IS BLOWING AT ABOUT 35-40 MPH OUTSIDE RIGHT NOW, BUT THE SUN IS BEAMING AND IT IS 78 DEGREES OUT! I CANNOT GET OVER THAT WE HAVE THE A/C ON TODAY :)

WE HAD A WONDERFUL MORNING OF PRESENTS (CNN-WAIT TILL YOU SEE THE HOT PINK FUR SCARF I GOT, AND YURMAN-STYLE BRACELET), THEN AK'S MOM AND I STARTED IN ON THE BLOODY MARYS AT ABOUT 11:00AM, AND WE ARE NOW ON OUR 3RD BOTTLE OF VINO ( IT IS ONLY 4:17 AND I HOPE WE MAKE IT TO DINNER AT 6PM). :) WE ARE HAVING AN OPEN HOUSE HERE TODAY, SO AS GOOD HOSTS WE OF COURSE HAVE A DRINK WITH ALL OF THEM. :)

THE GOOSE IS IN THE OVEN, SMELLING SO DELICIOUS IT IS INSANE...HAVING TRADITIONAL GERMAN-STYLE CHRISTMAS DINNER-RED CABBAGE, SAUSAGE STUFFING, ETC. YUM YUM YUMMY!!

WE ARE THINKING OF ALL OF YOU, WHEREVER YOU ARE! MERRY MERRY MERRY CHRISTMAS!

XMAS DECORATING FLORIDA STYLE

We made it! Flying on the 21st was a very good idea...our 2 flights were full, but everything was on time and no baggage lost :)

It is hilarious to see how Floridians decorate for Xmas-the huge blow-up Santas, snowmen, the globes, 10 foot lighted figurines, garland, etc, next to the sand and surf. It just doesn't fit. We do have a favorite, though, where the homeowner put lights on all the palm trees in his yard-wound around the trunks and scattered in the fronds...that is how to xmas decorate Florida-style!

We did the mall and some local shopping-actually fun as we were all together. I had a glorious mani/pedi today, and now feel flop worthy. The manicurist asked where I was from because my feet were so pale....I still gave her a nice tip :)

Getting ready for one of my favorite activities-wrapping gifts!!!! No paper cuts, please!

Chrissy-a bed is totally available for you here if you bust out of Swarthmore!

.....more later from the sunny south...

CHRISTMAS IN FLORIDA

For the first time in my 36 (young) years, I will not be spending Christmas in Media. Heading out to Melbourne Beach, FL tomorrow afternoon to spend the holiday and New Year with Ak's mom.

Looking forward to something different & somewhere warmer, but still a bit sad, but due to the changes in dynamics of our families in the past 2 years, we must make changes also.

Nothing like packing flip-flops in December!

Also looking forward to taking the blog show on the road...talk to y'all later from the Southern side!

STAY WARM!

POLLYANNA ANGEL

This mystery guest showed up Saturday night...I believe she is the Angel of Pollyanna, spreading xmas joy and much champagne wherever she goes. Thanks for stopping by, honey!

Pollyanna Pics

Sorry about the red eye, but it always happens when the picture taker has had at least one bottle of champagne.
Raymonds new haircut is shown here-look how handsome our boy is!
Few of us are lucky to have such friends, and I am so proud of all of my girls! It's like having a posse from the Wild West-friends that are there for you and will help you no matter what wherever they may be. And to the girls with children, I must say you have produced the most beautiful children-just amazing! Can you imagine us ever dreaming what 2005 would bring us as we sat in our various Penncrest classrooms? I know I was thinking of 6th period with Mr. oerther so I could smoke in the lab, or my office duties with Mr. Fertel where I could also smoke and check out our tests being run on the ancient mimeograph machine....things wer alot simpler then :)

THE DAY AFTER POLLYANNA

Well, I finally arrived home today at 6pm, after leaving for the party at Chrissy's at 5pm Saturday. Feeling a bit tired, but I must say it was the best pollyanna so far! Good food, yummy champagne, and hilarious conversations...I forgot to hang up my cell phone with ak at one point during the festivities, so he got an earful on the orgasm discussion in full mode at that point. Classy moments. Gifts were well thought out this year...no cases of beer or gift certificates :) After everything wound down, Chis and I donned our jammies and began watching one of the best movies of all time- Urban Cowboy. I only made it as far as Bud and Sissy's wedding, but Chrissy lasted longer. We woke around 9am and surveyed the damage, I had a few smokes and 5 glasses of apple juice, we discussed highlights of the party (Raymond made a short appearance with his awesome new haircut-more on that & pictures later), then fell back alseep until about 2pm-excellent naps.
Just unpacked all the goods, and gonna hit the sack and TIVO.
Thanks so much for hosting this year, Chrissy-it was a perfect night for all of us. Hanging out today was fab-that has to happen more often :)

LATE NITE IN THE TREEHOUSE

So our friend arrived from Richmond finally-much traffic. Upon arrival, the computers, parts, etc. came out and the 2 boyz began speaking the tech. It has freed me to continue my preparations for Pollyanna-those who know me understand that I totally love wrapping gifts very well and very creatively. I've been having a ball. Winding down, though. Ready for bed, and the Daria on the TIVO. Leave the boys to their evil plans.
Tomorrow nite will be awesome-we've been doing this since 7th grade-many of hussies have not made the cut over the years and have been asked not to come back-kind of like T.O. So many funny stories-uncooked food, re-gifts, but best if all is the consistency in the conversation hilarity between friends who have known each other forever, and are all completely different-and are able to say anything to each other...we are a lucky bunch.
Holy Swahili Sister's Uncle's Brother's Band...I'm out blogging!

Testing 1 2 3 

First Post

Well, the first words...feeling some pressure so I'll just tell you what is currently happening in the Bat Cave. I am working on some delightful edibles for the annual pollyanna with the girl's @ Chrissy's. The KitchenAide is out and working OT. Ak is making some dvd movies for xmas presents of our many travels this year-we're having fun picking out the accompanying music (Ludacris doesn't tickle the older folks as it does us, and his mother claims the Black Eyed Peas sound like bad tribal music-what can you do?).
Watching the snow today-had to head out and get mama some groceries and meds. I feel like a chauffer because I am. Saw Don at the pharmacy, and that's always good. :)
We have one of our good college/California buddies coming in tomorrow from Richmond (mainly so Ak won't be lonely on Sat nite-I'm sleeping out!). Chris, I may bring my nightie ensamble from the Las Vegas trip :)
Right now for me it's a toss up between writing some xmas cards and wrapping, or scrubbing the guest bathroom.....you know which one I will pick!